The New Trend in Breast Pumps: Massaging Breast Pumps
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by Matia Bryson
Once as a mother of a breastfeeding infant, I found myself in a circumstance where I was in need of a serious breast pump. I rented a hospital-grade breast pump of a major brand. The first time I used it, I did not know whether I should be sick or faint. I wish someone had warned me that I would see my nipples assume a pointy shape that I had never dreamed they were capable of. Then again, a forewarning may have done little good; this is one of those things that has to be seen to be believed. As another mother put it, “It wasn't so much the pain as the thought of my poor nipple being whished violently into a forceful vortex. I was sure it wouldn't return again; and if it did, it most certainly would not be the same.”* This is perhaps an exaggeration, but it conveys the emotional shock of the experience, even without accompanying pain, which a good breast pump should not cause.
I immediately wondered why they could not design a breast pump to work like a baby’s mouth. From what I observed, the baby compresses the areola and nipple with mouth and jaw action. Although I cannot see what is going on inside the baby’s mouth I am skeptical that a breast pump replicates that action because it simply does not feel the same. Breast pump design harkens back to machines that were intended for milking cows. Most breast pumps tug or pull on the nipple in a suck and release rhythm. What you see is the nipple going “point, relax, point, relax” like some enthusiastic member of an aerobic exercise class.
Now enter the newest innovation in breast pump design: the massaging breast pump. Here is the rundown on the breast pumps that claim or seem to have some element of massage.
The Playtex Embrace Breast Pump – This double electric pump is a combination massage and traditional pump, with vacuum settings and strengths comparable to other quality traditional breast pumps. One big difference is that the suction comes from the side of the funnel assembly instead of the back to prevent stretching of the nipple. Another big difference is this breast pump seems to press rhythmically against the areola without elongating the nipple. It has extra large 30 millimeter tunnels within its funnels or breast cups as Playtex calls them, so I would guess that they fit most women. There is more information on breast shield fit issues here on this website.
The Gerber Massaging Breast Pump – This manual pump is not to be confused with other breast pumps sold in the Gerber name which were discontinued. It has two sets of massage pads within the funnels. The outer set comes in contact with the top and bottom only of the areola. The inner set comes in contact with the nipple. These pads contract in a wave-like motion from the outside of the areola towards the nipple. In what manner that vacuum is used in this breast pump, Gerber does not say, and the animated video on their website does not show live pumping action, so I cannot tell if the nipple is pulled. Because of Gerber's past record with breast pumps, I would be unlikely to buy this one yet.
Dr. Brown’s Natural Flow Breast Pump (pictured)– This pump is new only this year (2006) and comes from Handi-craft, the company that markets the Dr. Brown’s anti-colic bottle. Dr. Brown’s has taken its innovations from Whittlestone Technologies, which continues to sell and rent breast pumps or
Breast Expressers in the Whittlestone name. The Whittlestone Breast Expresser comes in a manual version and a
double electric version. A hand-held single electric Dr. Brown’s breast pump will be in stores in December 2006, and a double electric breast pump will become available in 2007. I have been curious about the Whittlestone Breast Expresser for some time, having read Whittlestone-provided endorsements by some lactation consultants for the Expresser being particularly comfortable for women, especially those who have already suffered some nipple injury. In
one study, the Whittlestone Breast Expresser was found to be particularly comfortable in relieving engorgement.
Efficacy Report For The Whittlestone Breast Expresser As a Treatment for Breast
Engorgement.
Whittlestones have been around for years, but they never seemed to gain their marketing feet. The main difference between a Whittlestone manual breast expresser and the Dr. Brown’s is the funnel liner of the Dr. Brown’s has a honeycomb texture, and the Whittlestone’s is smooth. I would describe its massaging or pulsation action as a rippling motion, like the rippling a stone makes when dropped in water, but in the opposite direction. From the side view, you see the soft liner collapsing against the nipple, though not covering the tip. With the soft liner collapsing upon the areola and nipple by design, there are no concerns about breast shield fit. A one-way air flow is also a unique feature to these breast pumps. Traditional breast pumps have two-way air flow, which is what causes the tug-and-pull action on the nipple. The nipple remains stationary in the Dr. Brown’s and Whittlestone pumps, and the one-way air flow is said to prevent germs from entering the breast and causing infection.
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Next: Avent, Medela and Ameda on Massage
and Conclusion
*http://feeding.bloggingbaby.com/2006/06/11/a-breast-pump-that-works/
